Football practice device



Sheet of 2 May 13, 1969 D. DRAKULICH FOOTBALL PRACTICE DEVICE Filed May 25, 1966 roxvvn 5 United States Patent 3,443,810 FOOTBALL PRACTICE DEVICE Duke Drakulich, 3430 W. Plumb Lane, Reno, Nev. 89502 Filed May 25, 1966, Ser. No. 552,772 Int. Cl. A63b 69/34 U.S. Cl. 273-55 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A football practice device is formed of a sled carrying a pair of vertically extending frame members on which padded Wings are pivoted to turn about vertical axes between first positions in which the wings extend out parallel to each other from opposite sides of the frame and second positions in which the wings are parallel to each other. The wings extend past the pivots and the parts be-.

tween the frame members are connected by coil springs to other frame members, the springs tending to hold the wings in the first positions.

The invention relates to a football practice device, and more particularly to a device for the practice of blocking and similar maneuvers.

I am aware that various devices have been proposed in the past for use in the practice of football in connection with blocking and the like. However, none of these devices so far as I am aware presents the broad possibilities of using the mechanism for practicing various types of maneuvers and motions, either by individuals or by a whole team.

In general, the invention contemplates the use of a frame on which are pivoted two arms or wings, provided with suitable padding, to swing about parallel vertical axes, between normal positions in which the arms extend from opposite sides of the frame and are aligned with each other and positions in which the arms are parallel with each other, along with spring means for normally holding the arms in the first position.

Such a device, when used in the manner described herein, makes it possible to simulate the carrying out of a large number of different maneuvers, and to train the player to handle himself in a number of different situations.

The principle of the scrimmager can be likened to the starting gates at the race track. Two scrimmagers abreast, with their adjacent flippers in parallel, and almost touching present a gate-like barrier. Force applied by the charging lineman, or back, against the flippers opens the gate, allowing the player to penetrate, or pass through. By placing six sleds abreast with flippers aligned and touching a penetration gate is created for each of the seven men on the line, and of course, the backs that will follow the front line charge. This alignment of resistance gates means that the coach is able to pit his offensive play against calculated, and controlled resistance without resorting to the ever-dangerous live scrimmage.

On the other hand, a single device according to the invention can be used for shoulder drill, since the player can swing the wing against the action of the springs with his shoulder. Likewise, using several of these in echelon, and staggered, the player can practice alternate blocks with opposite shoulders and the like. Again, the fact that the arms extend from the sides outwardly, with no enclosure, allows a player to push against the arm and thereafter to spin off as he must be trained to do when he meets resistance under certain circumstances.

Further objects and advantages will appear more fully from the following description, particularly when taken 3,443,810 Patented May 13, 1969 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows in plan view a practice device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the same in side view;

FIG. 3 shows a front view with a part of the shield broken away;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section on the line 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the devices positioned for different purposes.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism includes a base plate or sled 2, which has downwardly extending angle irons or T-irons 4. These extend substantially the whole length of the sled. On top of the sled is a frame formed of four uprights 6, such as iron pipes, which are connected at the top by a cap member 8.

Rotatably mounted on two of the pipes 6 are larger pipe sections 10, against which fit channel irons 12 forming the arms or wings, having cut off sections in their webs fitting around the pipes 10, and welded thereto. The wings 12 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame, and are normally aligned with each other as is shown in FIG. 1.

Mounted on the outer end of each wing is a bent iron plate 14, the front side of which is spaced from the arm by blocks 16. The plates 14 are covered by cushions 18 of sponge rubber or other soft, cushiony material.

Each channel iron has in its flanges, on the side of the pivot opposite from the cushion portion 18, a plurality of spaced holes 20. A holding member 22 of rectangular cross-section, with a depth slightly greater than the depth of the channel iron 12, slides over the channel iron and has in one end wall a pin 24 adapted to engage in one of the holes in the upper flange of the channel iron and also an internal projection 26 with a pin 28 for entering holes in the lower flange of the channel iron. Coil springs 30 are connected by connecting members 32 to the box 22, and are also connected to one of the uprights 6 at the back of the sled.

Such a construction obviously makes it possible to adjust the box 22 lengthwise of the channel iron, by merely lifting it up and sliding it along, so that it is possible to adjust the tension of the springs 30 or the leverage with which they act on the arm.

The uprights 6, above and below the pivots 10 of the arms 12, have forwardly projecting bars 34, at the front of which is a frame 36 with a pad 38 extending completely across the width of the unit. This is spaced far enough from the frame to permit the wing to swing into the broken line position of FIG. 4, so as not to interfere with the movement of the wing. At the same time, it protects the player or a following player from being struck or running into the inner end of the wing in any way.

As will 'be apparent from FIG. 1, the cushion 18, extends on opposite sides of the wing, so if for any reason the player who has passed by falls back against the arm he will not be injured.

FIG. 6 shows the use of a plurality of the devices set up for drill by a complete line of seven players. FIG. 7 shows how the devices may be arranged in echelon for practicing alternate shoulder blocks or similar maneuvers.

While I have described herein one embodiment of the invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

Iclaim:

1. A football practice device comprising a ground engaging member, a frame extending upward from said mem- 3 ber, wings, means mounting said wings on each side of said frame for swinging about vertical axes, said mounting means permitting movement of portions of the wings between a first position in which the wing portions extend outwardly beyond the sides of the frame in opposite directions from said frame and are substantially aligned with each other and a second position in which the wing portions are substantially parallel with each other, and spring means connected to the frame and the wings for urging movement of the wing portions from the second position to the first position.

2. In a device as claimed in claim 1, each wing having an inward projection from the vertical axes substantially aligned with the said wing portions, said spring means being connected to said inward projections.

3. In a device as claimed in claim 2, said spring means comprising coil springs connected to the frame at points remote from the vertical axes.

4. In a device as claimed in claim 3, said wings being of channel-shaped cross-section with the flanges horizontal, the flanges of the inward projections having longitudinally spaced holes therein, and a box-like member surrounding each inward projection and having downwardly directed pins engagable in said holes, the springs being connected to said boxlike member.

5. In a device as claimed in claim 3, a guard member mounted on said frame at the level of the wing mounting means on the front side of the mounting means opposite the points of connection of the springs to the projections and extending across the frame.

6. In a device as claimed in claim 1, said ground engaging member having ridged members on the lower side thereof extending in a direction perpendicular to the first Wing position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,304,089 2/1967 Smith 27355 2,261,172 11/1941 Maxwell 27283 2,261,173 11/1941 Maxwell 272-83 2,673,737 3/1954 Daniels 272-83X 2,967,709 1/ 1961 Stahley 27355 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

